BlackhawksBuzz

Chicago Blackhawks (20-6-7) @ Detroit Red Wings (23-7-5)

4 – 0 Loss

Tuesday night, the Hawks and Red Wings played the first of a home-and-home series that ends with the much anticipated and over hyped Winter Classic. The Hawks come into this matchup on a 9-game winning streak.

Detroit took the opportunity to make a statement and set a tone going into Thursday’s game. They took it to the Hawks through special teams, scoring 2 of 6 on the man advantage. They also killed off all 6 Hawk’s PPs, including 2 opportunities early in the game. More importantly, Detroit took it to the Hawks physically. They were hitting early and often, starting with a Dan Cleary hit on Patrick Kane. Cleary got an elbow up and Kane went down awkwardly, injuring his right leg. After giving the leg a test drive before the second, Kane returned for the rest of the game, but his frustration was evident.

The physical play seemed to take the Hawks out of their game. The Hawks weren’t hitting back and the lack of size and grit was apparent. The little offense they found was overshadowed by the play of Ty Conklin. He didn’t need to make a ton of spectacular saves as the Hawks made it easy for him.

What hurt the Hawks most was stupid, unnecessary penalties. Some of it appeared to be frustration with the inability to get anything going. But if you know you are playing a team with the 2^nd ranked PP (26.7%), staying out of the box is key. The Hawks had the same number of power plays (6) and moved the puck well, but never beat Conklin.

No one player stood out for the Hawks. They will get their chance to even things up on the biggest stage of the season. Hopefully they took this loss personally.

Positives:

× Aaron Johnson returned to the lineup

× Kane’s injury could have been a lot worse.

Negatives:

× Stupid penalties

× Just a poor outing overall

Game Notes:

× Cam Barker didn’t play because of a lower body injury.

× Brent Sopel was placed on IR

× Adam Burish was activated from IR, but a scratch for last night’s game.

MVB (Most Valuable Blackhawk):

× No one

Next Matchup:

January 1^st, Detroit Red Wings @ Chicago Blackhawks

Record:

20-7-7 47 points

http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2008020543

Phoenix Coyotes (12-12-2) @ Chicago Blackhawks (11-6-7)

7 – 1 Win

The Blackhawks hosted the Coyotes, in what should have been a well matched game. But this game was one of those that you just try to get through and move on. Fortunately for the Hawks, it was Phoenix that came out flat and in 60 minutes, never got anything going.

The Hawks skated a good game, but this win was more of a Phoenix loss. They stunk up the joint. Bryzgalov played horrible and should have been pulled midway through the first, but an injured Tellqvist was only there to man the gate on the far end of the bench.

Goals by Bolland, Toews, Byf, Sharp, Ladd and Eager(2) were more than enough to ensure a Huet win. Huet was never tested in this game, and only faced 20 shots. The only goal was on a partial breakaway by Enver Lisin.

In the final seconds of the game, Versteeg and Kyle Turris fought. The bout earned Versteeg a one game suspension for instigating in the final 5 minutes of a game.

Let’s hope the boys saved some goals for the Ottawa Senators, a team with suspect goaltending and a great deal of offensive potential.

Positives:

× Great team effort.

× 3^rd line contributed with big numbers

× Confidence for Huet, just before Khabi is due back

Negatives:

× Versteeg suspension

Game Notes:

× Khabi and Wiz are both due back Friday in Colorado (12/12)

× Burris was placed on IR

× Pascal Pelletier (W) has been recalled from Rockford.

MVB (Most Valuable Blackhawk):

× Ben Eager – The entire team played well, but with Eager having a 2 goal game – why not Eager.

Next Matchup:

December 10^th, Ottawa Senators @ Chicago Blackhawks

Record:

12-6-7 31 points

http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2008020046